Who Should I Start? Van Jefferson or Kirk Merritt

Friday, March 13, 12:25 PM

The Washington Commanders are signing veteran free-agent wide receiver Van Jefferson (forearm) to an undisclosed deal on Friday, a source told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Even though it's wide open right now behind WR1 Terry McLaurin in D.C., the 29-year-old Jefferson will most likely serve as a depth option for the Commanders in 2026. The team also brought back Dyami Brown on Friday after he spent his first four seasons with Washington. Jefferson ended last year on Injured Reserve due to a forearm injury. Before his injury, the former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 caught 29 of his 52 targets for 350 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (seven starts) with the Tennessee Titans. Jefferson's career year in 2021 with the Rams in his second year in the league has been the outlier, as he hasn't come anywhere close to the 802 receiving yards and six TDs he had that season. The Commanders are likely to bring in more receiving help via free agency and the draft, which would push Jefferson further down the WR depth chart.